Stoke City have dismissed reports that they have offered Middlesbrough £12m for Ben Gibson.

The 24-year old has been with the Teeside club since he was 12, but he is looking to remain in the Premier League after Boro were relegated last season.

The highly-rated defender is believed to be worth between £20m to £25m, but Stoke chief Tony Scholes has denied that his club have lodged a bid to Boro.

When asked by the Stoke Sentinel about the rumoured bid, Scholes replied: "There is not truth in that."